Feeling like your backyard is on display?
You’re not alone.
According to a 2024 survey from Top Rail Fence, 65% of American homeowners actively seek privacy from their neighbors, with many admitting to avoiding interactions by staying indoors or pretending not to be home.
Such feelings often lead people to make rash decisions like erecting ugly, bulky fences or walls to block out all the surroundings. But, after a while, those same people may realize they decided off the cuff and didn’t think about the aesthetics, the surroundings, and the fact that they’d have to stare at a dull wall whenever they step outside.
Now, instead of making another spur-of-the-moment choice, there are ways to improve the appearance of an existing fence.
One of these ways is by using faux boxwood panels.
And we’ll tell you why and how right here, so keep reading.
5 Reasons to Cover Your Fence with an Artificial Hedge Panel
While there are more than 5 reasons to cover your fence with an artificial hedge wall, we’ve condensed our list to our top benefits:
Instant coverage
One of the most compelling reasons to cover your fence with fake hedge panels is instant coverage. With faux alternative, you don’t have to wait years for the greenery to grow and reach its full potential.
And with that, you won’t see any awkward gaps within the foliage for extended periods while it grows in. Instead, artificial hedge screening will help you achieve a lush aesthetic right away.
To get the most natural appearance, even with artificial hedge panels, pick products with dense foliage that closely mimics the look of real plants. Using our Real-Tex technology, our faux hedge walls have realistic color variations, veining, and imperfections that look as close to the real thing as possible.
For a dense and full coverage, we recommend boxwood panels like our Natural Artificial Boxwood Wall or our Premium Bright Artificial Boxwood Wall. In both panels, you can see the interplay of various shades of green, which adds to the dynamism and realism of the fauxliege.
Weather-resistant
Since you’ll be working with high-quality plastic products, you’ll rest assured they’ll be sturdy enough to handle all types of weather. Our artificial hedge panels are designed to be weather-resistant, so they can withstand the elements year-round without deteriorating.
While real hedge walls look stunning, they can be vulnerable to extreme weather conditions like heat, heavy rain, or frost. But thanks to our rigorous testing processes and built-in UV resistance, our faux hedge panels won’t fade, rot, or attract pests.
Of course, it’s imperative to remember that if your fence is exposed to sunlight, your hedge panels must be UV-resistant and specifically made for the outdoors. When choosing your panels, look for the UV protection badge on each product page:
DIY-friendly and customizable
Your artificial hedge wall will be DIY-friendly and easily customizable. This makes faux hedges an excellent choice for homeowners who don’t want to hire teams of professionals and shell out large sums of money for installation.
Most panels, including those at Designer Plants, are designed to be easily attached to existing fences or walls with tools commonly found at home. The installation method depends on the material of the surface, but here’s what you’ll need for each:
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Brick, concrete, masonry, and stone: concrete or brick anchor plugs, a hammer, a drill, and a drill bit
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Timber, plaster, stucco, MDF, and plastic: a staple gun, screws, a drill and screw drill head
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Mesh, tubular, and railing: cable ties and scissors
We’ve got a full installation guide with step-by-step video tutorials, so be sure to refer to it before DIY-ing.
As a plus, an artificial hedge screening is highly customizable and can be cut, shaped, decorated, and lit up according to your wishes.
Higher property value
If you’re planning to put up that “For Sale” sign on your property, you’ll need to make an effort with your curb appeal.
Studies show that landscaping alone can increase property value by up to 12.7%, with returns on investment reaching up to 200%. But since real greenery takes time, maintenance, and money, faux hedges are the alternative that can get you the same results with less than half of the input.
If you install artificial hedge panels just before listing your property, you’ll instantly improve its visual appeal. Plus, your fake hedge panels will be hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and safe for kids and pets, which are important selling points for certain buyers.
Increased privacy
Last but not least, one of the most significant advantages of covering your fence with an artificial hedge wall is the increased privacy you’ll get after doing so. If you live in a crowded neighborhood or have neighbors who are a little too close for comfort, you can use dense boxwood panels to block their view into your yard.
This is especially useful for yards cordoned off with a mesh or metal fence with gaps because your panel can attach directly onto it. Such a solution works best in urban or suburban settings where a traditional low fence may not offer enough coverage.
If your existing fence is especially low, you can extend it upwards using a wooden frame, which we’ll talk about below.
3 Ways to Cover Your Fence With an Artificial Hedge Wall
Now that we’ve made our case for using an artificial hedge wall to cover your fence, here are 3 great ways to transform your backyard with a unique DIY project:
Mix and match panels
Don’t be afraid to mix and match different hedge styles in one project. If you do it right, you can combine multiple panel types to give your installation depth.
One of our clients did this in a way that mimicked the organic flow of nature. They envisioned the panels melting into each other and creating a continuous, natural-looking design. They used our fake hedge panels and cut and shaped them to form soft, wave-like patterns.
The result looked like the greenery was growing across the wall. There were no harsh lines or visible seams, partly thanks to the flexible grid backing.
If you decide to do this as well, choose denser boxwood panels to hide the grid when transitioning from one product to another. Precision cutting can make a big difference for a seamless pattern, so check out how Will does it:
Increase fence height
If your ultimate goal is to get more privacy, you can use faux boxwood panels to increase the height of your existing fence.
Instead of adding onto the fence or building a new one altogether, you can cut your costs and focus on the top half only. Start by building a timber frame above your current fence using vertical posts and horizontal beams. Then, attach the hedge panels to the new frame to add height.
We supervised a similar DIY project recently, with one homeowner wanting to shield their pool area and refresh an old colorbond fence. They extended the fence and covered the full structure with our Ultra Luxury Lush Spring faux green wall.
When DIY-ing, use the panel calculator on the product page to figure out exactly how many panels you’ll need for a perfect fit.
Wrap the patio
You can also go for a more simplistic approach and use an artificial hedge wall to uplift your patio with little effort. This approach works well because:
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It softens hard surfaces like timber or brick
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It adds a fresh look to the outdoor space
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It doubles as a privacy screen
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It serves as a backdrop for events
One of our creative clients used our White Flowering Artificial Boxwood Wall to wrap her entire patio with faux panels. By doing so, she created an evergreen backdrop for everyday enjoyment and entertaining.
This homeowner used zip ties, a staple gun, and our detailed guide to install the panels, and even added a green wall disc for a little something extra.
If you’re thinking of doing something similar, meticulously measure each wall, preferably more than once, before buying your panels. And don’t forget to get UV-resistant products that can handle the sun.
Finishing Thoughts
So, should you cover your fence with an artificial hedge wall?
If you want a distinctive outdoor look, absolutely!
Covering a dull fence with fake hedge panels makes your space functional, stylish, and low-maintenance.
With a little planning and the right materials, any outdoor wall can become a standout feature. So, if you’re ready to get started, contact our expert design stylists and explore our range of easy-to-install panels to bring your backyard to life.